Iran shoots down US military helicopter as Trump issues humiliating statement | World | News
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that Iran shot down a US military helicopter.
He said: “I have just been informed by our Grand Military that the Iranians shot down one of our highly advanced Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz last night. There were two pilots involved, both safe and uninjured. However, the United States is imperatively required to respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
A U.S. military official said a drone boat rescued the crew of a U.S. Army attack helicopter that crashed early Tuesday near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that Iran has effectively closed during its war with the United States and Israel.
U.S. Central Command spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said this was the first known unmanned aerial vehicle rescue operation by the U.S. military at sea. He said the unmanned boat located the two airmen and brought them to shore after spending about two hours in the water.
Military officials have not confirmed what caused the Apache helicopter to crash.
AH-64 Apache helicopters have been an important asset for the American military, which has implemented a blockade of Iranian crude oil shipments and tankers to pressure Tehran to make a deal. Helicopters were also used by the United Arab Emirates to shoot down Iranian drones.
Since the United States and Israel began striking Iran on February 28, the war has shaken the global economy, driving up energy prices worldwide and making many basic needs, including food, more expensive.
Authorities have failed to turn an April ceasefire into an agreement to permanently end the conflict, especially as Israel intensifies and expands its military campaign in Lebanon against the Iran-backed militia group Hezbollah.
